ICONIC GAY PUB ROYAL VAUXHALL TAVERN RECEIVES LISTED STATUS

In the past few years London’s LGBT community has lost a string of famous venues, so it’s great to hear that one of the capital’s oldest and most-loved gay pubs, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), has been designated a listed building.

The RVT was awarded Grade II status on Wednesday, giving it considerable protection against any changes to use or look, following a campaign supported by Sir Ian McKellen, Paul O’Grady and Graham Norton.

“The iconic cultural hub in the heart of London is of huge significance to the LGBT community,” said heritage minister Tracey Crouch in her announcement.

The pub is the first LGBT venue to be listed in the UK.

Last year, the building was sold to an Austrian property developer raising concerns that the RVT might be redeveloped.

The successful end to the campaign to award the venue protected status comes after a number of London gay pubs have shuttered. The Black Cap in Camden, the Joiners Arms and the George & Dragon on Hackney Road have all closed their doors in the past 12 months despite petitions to save them.